Times have changed drastically since our younger days when the fantasies of experiencing the hunting camp stories our fathers and uncles would tell were prevalent.

Many Western Pennsylvania families own hunting camps, and going was one of the true rites of passage. The stories the “hunters” would tell were always mesmerizing. The male bonding was a huge attraction. Of course, mixed into the grand stories of the successful hunts for trophy bucks were the occasional story of the hunter who fell asleep as the herd was walking by or the ones that never made it out of camp because they had over-indulged the night before the hunt.

There were designated jobs for the participants. It seemed every camp had an official cook. Most camps seemed to discourage the inclusion of females in prior decades, so it presented an opportunity for an uncle or a grandfather to become a legend in his own mind by cooking his famous chili or stew and brewing coffee over an open fire.

Of course, 2020 has changed everything else, so why wouldn’t it play havoc with this tradition as well? Usually, the quarters at a hunting camp are somewhat cramped with sharing beds, floor mattresses or even sleeping in vehicles being common.

This year, the size of hunting groups are being reduced. Few if any new guests are being included. Immediate family seems to be the rule rather than an exception. Almost all Western Pennsylvania schools have celebrated the first day of buck season as an off day. Attendance at work was also either optional or not expected at all. That is not nearly as true anymore even without a pandemic, but very few are requesting a personal day for hunting now.

The rural restaurants that are also part of the traditional hunting camp experience will suffer this year from the 25% capacity restriction and reduced hours. The deer will be left to wonder why the woods aren’t as full and why the herds aren’t being culled as would normally happen.

Yes, the hardcore hunters and campers will still do their thing and we may even see a few trophies tied to the hoods of vehicles, but like the Macy’s Day Parade and Black Friday shopping, this year will be a little different. Let’s hope it is only this year.

Hunters be safe and take all the extra precautions possible. Enjoy your camp and may the experience still be legendary.

— RV